Killers Review

Messages: Killers is a strange concoction: Murder is played for laughs, but since the film’s not very funny, how does that leave the body count then? Jen is such a caricature of a weak, immature woman, that she would be offensive if the movie weren't overall so lame. Still, the movie does attempt to explore the idea of honesty in a marriage, and its importance to making a relationship successful.

Role models: In a strange way, Spencer, the professional killer, appears most sympathetic of all the characters, perhaps because he appears genuinely interested in reforming himself. Jen, on the other hand, comes across pleasantly, if a bit superficial. Her focus after finding out that her husband is an assassin is on how she was misled, not that her husband is a killer. Plus, her squealing and generally immature behavior puts her squarely in female stereotype-land.

Violence: Consider the title: For a rom-com, Killers is laden with bone-crunching fistfights and guns-ablaze sequences (and their fairly bloody aftermaths). The lead character is an assassin, after all, and off the bat, he’s shown at his “job.” One character gets impaled by a chandelier (her remains are briefly visible); another’s car is skewered by metal rods at a construction site while he’s still in it (we don’t see his body).

Sex: Lots of sexual innuendoes; Heigl’s character is seen in her underwear. She and her husband flirt and kiss often. An older woman shows off her cleavage to a younger married man. Frank discussion of a married woman’s sex life.

Language: Not excessive, but “s--t” and “f--k” do pop up.

Consumerism: Logos for Ford, Ferrari, Maalox, and other products clearly visible.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking, plus one character who’s clearly a lush (and her drinking is played for laughs). Nearly every time she’s onscreen, she’s fixing herself a sizable cocktail. Another character passes out from knocking back too many drinks on her first date with a guy who, curiously, finds the whole debacle charming (only in the movies.). A few guests get drunk at a party, and one of them leaves the hosts wondering if he’s able to drive (though they let him go).